Johannesburg, 11 Jun 2002
In a countrywide project covering 30 branches, ICL SA has completed the implementation of Fujitsu ATM terminals at the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) in Tanzania.
As the prime contractor ICL (SA) has partnered with Sun as the supplier of the back-office hardware, Oracle for the relational database software, and US-based IFS for the backend ATM switching software package TPII.
The ATMs have advanced functionality and operate on a Windows NT platform, with the capability to exchange information on the Web. This is achieved by utilising the WOSA/XFS (Windows Open Systems Architecture/Extensions for Financial Services) interface, now the world standard for ATMs. The Fujitsu ATMs in Tanzania communicate to the back-office system via a satellite link.
Explained corporate affairs and communications manager at NBC Maxwell Pirikisi: "NBC set out in 2001 to bring 21st Century banking to the Tanzanians. With the pioneering project to bring online banking to local branches in Tanzania well underway, the deployment of ATMs represented the commencement of the second phase of this ambitious programme."
"Not only has the old computer system been replaced by brand new and advanced technology, but NBC fully computerised and linked all its branches online, real-time, as of September 2001. This makes it possible for customers to access their funds and make deposits at any of the 36 branches countrywide," added ICL (Africa) managing director Elvin de Kock.
"We strongly believe that the future of banking is about giving each and every customer choices to suit their individual lifestyles. The solution, the first in East Africa, allows NBC to offer excellent service to their customers," noted Pirikisi.
"Project management, regarded as critical to the success of all EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) projects, was provided by ICL (SA) involving the management and co-ordination of activities of the consortium members. The project took approximately one year to complete," added De Kock.
"Once more we are delighted to be partnering with IFS, Sun and Oracle to deliver this solution," noted De Kock.
ICL (SA) project manager Neels Kleinhans said management of third-party suppliers in time zones seven hours behind and six hours ahead of SA proved to be one of the biggest challenges. "The effect of time differences stretched the working hours of project resources to 18-hour working days during the final solution integration phase," he explained.
"Sun Microsystems equipment destined for SA was at JFK Airport on 11 September 2001. Adequate contingency built into project time scales prevented any adverse effects and the "Critical Path" of this project was not influenced," noted Kleinhans.
"Improving customer service is close to the heart of NBC management," said Pirikisi. "To that effect, a customer services specialist has been appointed. Our employees are going through training and retraining exercises as we endeavour to bring them up to speed with modern banking," he noted. To keep pace with the advancing world, NBC has also introduced highly innovative products and a Web site www.nbctz.com will shortly be ready for Internet banking.
Explained Pirikisi: "We have 30 ATMs now installed, which are fully functional throughout the country and this is by far the largest ATM network Tanzania has ever seen. I`m proud to say that with the introduction of our ATMs, complementing the largest branch network in the country, our customers can enjoy hassle-free, easy, convenient banking, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere in the country."
Background
NBC bank was privatised on 1 April 2000. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a division of the World Bank, holds 15% of NBC. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania holds 30%.
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